The people requested anonymity because players who test positive for amphetamines the first time under baseball's policy are not publicly identified.

Bonds learned of the test result in August, according to a person close to him.

Bonds issued a statement late Thursday but did not say whether he failed a drug test. He did deny a New York Daily News story that he told baseball authorities he took amphetamines out of teammate Mark Sweeney's locker.

"He is both my teammate and my friend," Bonds' statement read. "He did not give me anything whatsoever and has nothing to do with this matter, contrary to recent reports. I want to express my deepest apologies, especially to Mark and his family, as well as my other teammates, the San Francisco Giants organization and the fans."

Sweeney said Gene Orza, the chief operating officer of the players association, informed him his name had surfaced in reference to Bonds' drug test.

"If you have anything like that in your locker, get rid of it," Orza told Sweeney, according to Barry Axelrod, Sweeney's agent. "Mark said, 'I don't have anything or given anything to anybody.'

"Mark has never tested positive, ever. What's unfortunate is that what is supposed to be confidential information somehow gets public."

Orza declined to comment on the conversation with Sweeney and said Bonds didn't implicate his teammate.

"Barry Bonds has never blamed anybody for anything as far as I know," Orza said. "I don't comment on the drug program at all. It's confidential."

Sweeney told USA TODAY earlier Thursday that he did not have amphetamines and confronted Bonds about it last summer.

"I asked him why my name would be out there," Sweeney said. "I told him that I didn't understand why my name was even being talked about. He told me it was a misunderstanding."

Sweeney said he has never tested positive for amphetamines.

"I just don't understand why I'm even thrown into this," Sweeney said. "My mom, my dad and all my friends have to hear about this. It (stinks). People don't know the true story.

"I have nothing to be ashamed about. This isn't an issue of a guilty conscience. I've never done anything wrong. I respect the game."

Commissioner Bud Selig declined to comment, and the Giants said in a statement they first learned Wednesday of the allegations against Bonds in the Daily News story. Yet two members of the Giants front office were told of rumors last summer by USA TODAY.

Players are not publicly identified for a first positive test for amphetamines. They are subject to an additional six drug tests over a six-month period and receive treatment and counseling. Players who test positive a second time are subject to a 25-game suspension.

For a positive test on steroids or other illegal performance-enhancing drugs, players receive a 50-game suspension.

The Giants and Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, declined to address whether the alleged failed drug test will have a bearing on Bonds' contract. He agreed to a one-year, $16 million deal in December, but it remains unsigned. Among other issues, the two sides have been working to determine whether Bonds would receive pay for games missed because of possible legal hearings, according to Borris and the Giants.